Flames' Kiprusoff announces retirement

Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - After exhaustive contemplation, Miikka
Kiprusoff made it official and announced his retirement on Monday.

The 36-year-old goaltender will walk away from the final season of his
contract with the Calgary Flames that has a $5.833 million cap hit.

Kiprusoff played in just 24 games last season while battling injuries and
finished with abysmal numbers, a 3.44 goals-against average and an .882 save
percentage.

"Miikka has been up-front with us since the trade deadline that he wanted to
finish his outstanding playing career as a Flames player, and that the 2013
season was going to be his last," Flames general manager Jay Feaster said in a
statement. "We, as an organization, made it clear to Kipper that we did not
want him to make a rash or hasty decision. We wanted to give him time to get
refreshed during the summer and spend some additional time to make his
decision. Had we been prepared to accept Miikka's position back in April we
could have announced his retirement at the end of the season. We purposely
chose to wait and give him more time to ensure this was the course he wanted
to take. In returning to Calgary this month he advised us that his decision
remained the same, and that he was retiring as a player."

Kiprusoff was acquired by the Flames from the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 16, 2003
and backstopped Calgary to within one victory of a Stanley Cup title the
following spring.

The Finn was a workhorse over his years with the Flames, never playing fewer
the 70 games between 2005-2012.

"I decided to retire at the end of last season," Kiprusoff said in a
statement. "I appreciated Jay Feaster and the Flames organization permitting
me to take the summer to be 100 % sure. It's an important decision for me
personally, my family, the Flames organization and fans. Jay and I had
conversations over the summer and nothing had changed for me and upon
returning to Calgary last week, I once again spoke with Jay and confirmed with
him that I would be retiring."

Kiprusoff, the 2006 Vezina Trophy winner as the league's top goalie, is the
Flames all-time leader in wins (305), games played (576) and shutouts (41). He
concluded his career with 319 wins, a 2.49 GAA and a .912 save percentage in
623 games.